This week marks the 5th anniversary of the death of my step-dad, Darrell. I wanted to share what he meant to me. Instead of writing, I am sharing the audio link to the eulogy I gave at his service.

Darrell took us in when I was 15 years old. Out of love, he gave himself and his resources, to my mother, brother and myself. He didn’t have to. Just as Christ didn’t have to leave heaven, come to earth, and then die a sacrificial death on the cross. Christ didn’t have to give up everything to redeem me, but he chose to. Darrell, didn’t have to give up the freedom and comfort of his own home, take in a teenage girl and a young boy, and give us a home. But he did. He didn’t have to become our dad. But, we are forever grateful that he did. Click on the link to listen–He didn’t have to be.

Dinner cruise on my 17th birthday–August 1984

Darrell hamming it up.

Taking video of his new granddaughter, Clairese. 8/26/94

                                                    Our last picture together-September 2014